NFL, DirecTV Hit with Broadcast Monopoly Class Action Lawsuit

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An antitrust class action lawsuit has been filed in California federal court against the National Football League Inc. (NFL) and DirecTV LLC, alleging that the sport-broadcasting agreement between the two companies prevents competition from other businesses. This NFL and DirecTV class action lawsuit comes on the heels of similar antitrust lawsuits against organizations like Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League.

Lead plaintiff Thomas Abrahamian filed this antitrust class action lawsuit claiming that the agreement used by DirecTV and the NFL allows them to “blackout” coverage of live sporting events that prevents regional TV networks from airing these events and thus competing with DirecTV. He claims that back in July 2013 he bought an “out-of-market” package that the plaintiff alleges is over-priced, as he did not wish to pay for other channels broadcasting games not featuring his team the New England Patriots.

The NFL and DirecTV antitrust class action lawsuit alleges NFL teams and NFL partners agreed to not compete in exclusive territories of other teams as long as DirectTV granted them anti-competition protection in their team’s home market. These policies between these two companies are allegedly made with the intention of creating regional monopolies. The only way consumers can watch broadcasts of other teams during the football season is to purchase a special “out-of-market” DirecTV package called NFL Sunday Ticket.

The plaintiff has brought this NFL and DirecTV antitrust class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and a Class of:

“All persons who purchased television service from DirecTV, or its subsidiaries, that included channels carrying video presentations of live NFL football games that were not available through a sponsored telecast, within four years prior to the filing of the Complaint in this action and until the effects of the anti-competitive conduct end.”

This NFL and DirecTV antitrust class action lawsuit alleges NFL and DirecTV violated the Sherman Act through their agreement that restrains horizontal competition within the NFL industry. Abrahamian states his antitrust class action lawsuit seeks to reinstate off-field competition among NFL teams and partners.

This NFL and DirecTV class action lawsuit comes on the heels of the June 15 preliminary approval of a settlement for a NHL antitrust class action lawsuit filed by TV subscribers, who allege they were forced to overpay for sports packages in order to watch out-of-market hockey games.

Per the terms of the NHL antitrust class action settlement, the NHL promised to offer TV subscribers more affordable, unbundled subscription packages that are team-specific. U.S. District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin ruled on June 15 that the proposed NHL antitrust settlement was fair and equitable and was in the best interest of the Class.

The plaintiff is represented by Abbas Kazerounian of Kazerouni Law Group APC and Joshua B. Swigart of Hyde & Swigart.

The NFL and DirecTV Antitrust Class Action Lawsuit is Thomas Abrahamian, et al. v. National Football League Inc., et al., Case No. 2:15-cv-04606, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.